U.S. Soldier Missing in Morocco Found Dead; Second Still Missing After Military Exercise
Where things stand
Updated May 14, 09:41 AMNo independently verified information has emerged regarding the two U.S. soldiers missing in Morocco since May 2. Unconfirmed reports claim the remains of both soldiers have been recovered after they fell from a cliff during an off-duty hike. Official confirmation from U.S. Africa Command or Moroccan authorities is still awaited. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Open questions
- What caused the soldiers to fall from the cliff?Open since May 13, 2026
- Has the second soldier been formally identified, and have next of kin been notified?Open since May 14, 2026
- What is the status of the official investigation into the incident?Open since May 13, 2026
- Were there any witnesses to the fall, and what were the soldiers doing at the location?Open since May 13, 2026
- When will U.S. Africa Command or Moroccan authorities issue an official statement?Open since May 13, 2026
Key actors
What's corroborated
The Independent published an article that requires registration to view.
1 sourceIn 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco while taking part in the exercises.
1 sourceacross 1 articleSince 2004, African Lion has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
1 sourceacross 1 articleAfrican Lion 26 is a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal with over 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations.
1 sourceacross 1 articleAssets deployed included a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, thermal and ISR sensors, an unmanned underwater vehicle, side-scan sonar, a Moroccan multibeam echosounder and U.S. Coast Guard drift modeling capabilities.
1 sourceacross 1 article
Timeline3
2026-05-14: The Independent confirms recovery of second soldier's remains, reiterating both fell from a cliff during an off-duty hike.